There was something scary in the warm, blue ocean at Horseneck Beach on Thursday.

The Portuguese man-of-war, which resembles a jellyfish, floated in from southern waters and stung 12 swimmers at the beach, according to published reports. The only indication at the beach Friday was a sign posted outside the restrooms warning of reported sightings.

There was something scary in the warm, blue ocean at Horseneck Beach on Thursday.

The Portuguese man-of-war, which resembles a jellyfish, floated in from southern waters and stung 12 swimmers at the beach, according to published reports. The only indication at the beach Friday was a sign posted outside the restrooms warning of reported sightings.

The Portuguese man-of-war is generally seen in warm coastal waters from Florida to about Texas, but can and did drift up the coast into Westport and Cape Cod in the past couple of days.

Its sting is said to be excruciatingly painful and leaves behind red welts. For those more sensitive to the man-of-wars’ venom, a sting can lead to anaphylactic shock and even death.

It is not believed that anyone was seriously injured from the stings on Thursday.

Horseneck was packed Friday as people celebrated the holiday weekend and continuing heat wave.

Donna Shillan of East Providence, R.I., was just heading into the ocean when she was told about the Portuguese man-of-wars stinging 12 people a day earlier.

“I had no idea,” Shillan said. “I wasn’t aware of it. We were just going in. Now, I’m iffy about it.”

Jorg Schaffstein and his wife Liz of Dartmouth were unsure about their day at the beach.

“I’m afraid to go in the water,” Liz said.

“It’s kind of concerning,” Jorg said. “It’s an uneasy feeling.”

Their daughter Hillary Genereux wasn’t at all on the fence about her decision.

“I won’t go in. I’ve been stung by a jellyfish in the past,” Genereux said.

The Portuguese man-of-war isn’t exactly a jellyfish. Scientists say it’s a colony of numerous organisms that are so specialized they cannot survive without each other, according to the Southeastern Regional Taxonomic Center of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.

The man-of-war has a float that sits on the water’s surface, usually a blue/ purple shade and translucent. It has feeding tentacles, other tentacles to capture prey and reproductive polyps. Its tentacles can hang in the water a few feet, and sometimes up to 50 feet or more.

Administrative workers and lifeguards at Horseneck Beach would not say if any more Portuguese man-of-wars were on the beach Friday.

They referred the press to the state Department of Conservation and Recreation. A call to DCR on Friday afternoon was not returned.

“We were warned when we walked in,” said Addie Walker of Westport. “It doesn’t stop me from coming.”

Lots of people felt the same way.

“If anything, I’ll probably be a little more cautious,” said Amanda Leonardo of North Providence, R.I.

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Roscoe and Jacqueline Gay of Dorchester were visiting Horseneck Beach for the first time on Friday.

“I’m going in,” Roscoe said. “It’s not about being scared, it’s about being cautious.”